BOY ’ S GUiDE TO BECOMING A TEEN Amy B. Middleman, MD, MSEd, MPH, Medical Editor Kate Gruenwald Pfeifer, LCSW, Writer ffirs.qxd 3/27/06 10:40 AM Page 1 BOY ’ S GUiDE TO BECOMING A TEEN Amy B. Middleman, MD, MSEd, MPH, Medical Editor Kate Gruenwald Pfeifer, LCSW, Writer ffirs.qxd 3/27/06 10:40 AM Page 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper. Copyright © 2006 by The American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Published by Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint 989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741 Developed by Nancy Hall, Inc. Illustrations by Brie Spangler The recommendations and information in this book are appropriate in most cases and current as of the date of publication. For more specific information about a medical condition, the AMA suggests that you consult a physician. 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Permission is given for individual classroom teachers to reproduce the pages and illustrations for classroom use. Reproduction of these materials for an entire school system is strictly forbidden. Jossey-Bass books and products are available through most bookstores. To contact Jossey-Bass directly, call our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 800-956-7739, outside the U.S. at 317-572-3986, or fax 317-572-4002. Jossey-Bass also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data American Medical Association boy’s guide to becoming a teen. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN-13: 978-0-7879-8343-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-7879-8343-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Puberty—Juvenile literature. 2. Teenage boys—Physiology—Juvenile literature. I. Title: Boys’ guide to becoming a teen. II. American Medical Association. RJ143.A43 2006 613'.04233—dc22 2005034809 Printed in the United States of America first edition PB Printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ffirs.qxd 4/20/06 8:58 AM Page 2 This is a very important, very exciting time in your life as you go through so many changes on your way to becoming an adult. Along with the transformation your body is undergoing, many other things in your life are changing, too. For example, your relationships with your parents and your friends may be different now than when you were younger, and people may treat you differently. Also, the way you look at things is probably not the same as it used to be. Of course, you have lots of questions. We at the American Medical Association have created this book to give you the answers to many of those questions—information that can help you grow up healthy and happy. You can also turn to your parents, your doctor, and other trusted adults whenever you need more information, guidance, or help. With more facts, you can make even better decisions to keep yourself safe. In this book, you will learn how to deal with common concerns boys have, such as body changes, acne, and relationships. You will learn why it’s so important, even at your age, to eat a healthy diet and to be physically active. This book also discusses many of the issues that may soon be facing you or your friends, including how to resist pressure from other kids to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, use drugs, or start becoming sexually active. The handy glossary at the back of the book explains some of the medical terms used in the book. Also at the end of the book, you’ll find a list of helpful Web sites to go to for more information. We at the AMA wish you good health on your journey into adulthood! American Medical Association FOREWORD ffirs.qxd 3/27/06 10:40 AM Page 3 Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Musacchio, PhD Senior Vice President, Publishing and Business Services Anthony J. Frankos Vice President, Business Products Mary Lou White Executive Director, Editorial and Operations Amy B. Middleman, MD, MSEd, MPH Medical Editor Donna Kotulak Managing Editor Mary Ann Albanese Art Editor Arthur Elster, MD Director, Division of Medicine and Public Health, AMA Missy Fleming, PhD Program Director, Child and Adolescent Health, AMA Mary R. Casek, MAT Educational Consultant ffirs.qxd 3/27/06 10:40 AM Page 4 CONTENTS FOREWORD 3 Chapter One: WELCOME TO PUBERTY 6 Chapter Two: EATING, EXERCISE, AND A HEALTHY WEIGHT 16 Chapter Three: YOUR HEIGHT 30 Chapter Four: YOUR SKIN, TEETH, AND HAIR 36 Chapter Five: YOUR REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM—INSIDE AND OUT 54 Chapter Six: ERECTIONS, WET DREAMS, AND MASTURBATION 64 Chapter Seven: YOUR FEELINGS 70 Chapter Eight: RELATIONSHIPS 84 Chapter Nine: WHAT ABOUT SEX? 98 FIND OUT MORE! 112 GLOSSARY 116 INDEX 125 ftoc.qxd 3/24/06 2:35 PM Page 5 6 If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re about to become a teenager. There are a lot of great things about becoming a teenager. You get taller, bigger, and stronger. You get better at many of the things you enjoy doing, like playing a musical instrument, drawing, or being on the soccer team. You begin to have more freedom—to go more places and do more things with your friends. You may start dating. You may even get your first job and have your own money to spend in ways that want to spend it. These things all make becoming a teenager an exciting time in your life. This book will help you know what to expect as your body and mind go through some pretty major changes. It will answer most, if not all, of the many questions you are likely to have as you go through puberty. Of course, it’s also a very good idea to talk to your parents, other family members, a doctor or nurse, or other trusted adults about any concerns you have. CHAPTER ONE Welcome to Puberty you c01.qxd 3/24/06 2:22 PM Page 6 7 What is puberty? Puberty is the process that your body goes through as you grow from a child to an adult. During puberty, your body and mind change in many ways. Puberty is also the time when your voice gets deeper and you start to look less like a kid and more like a grown-up. Some of the changes you will notice as you go through puberty: ◆ You get taller. ◆ Your shoulders get wider. ◆ Your muscles get bigger. ◆ You grow hair in new places. ◆ Your voice gets deeper and lower. In addition to these physical changes, you might notice other changes in yourself. Your relationships with your family and friends might change, too. It’s not always easy to go through so many changes so quickly. Puberty can be exciting, confusing, scary, or no big deal—each reaction is perfectly normal. Hey! Don’t be shy about asking questions. Remember that all adults were once as young as you and went through the same changes! [ ] Does this ever happen to you? • Your body seems to look and feel different every week. • Your voice cracks when you answer a question in class and you hope no one noticed. • You spend more time with new friends than with old ones. c01.qxd 3/24/06 2:22 PM Page 7 What is adolescence? Adolescence is the period of time between the end of childhood development and adulthood. This period starts at about age 11 or 12 and continues through the late teen years and early 20s. Adolescence is a time of change—learning who you are and who you want to become—and it includes the path to getting there. How long does puberty last? Puberty generally starts sometime between the ages of 9 and 14. For many boys, it takes about 5 to 6 years to go through all the different stages of puberty. But every boy is unique and will go through puberty in his own way and at his own pace. You might notice that some boys in your class seem to be finishing the last stage of puberty while other boys seem to still be in the first stage. This is normal, because there is no exact timetable for puberty that everyone follows. 8 c01.qxd 3/24/06 2:22 PM Page 8 [...]... spurt and have gotten taller but haven’t gained as much weight yet Or you may be in a family that tends to be thin naturally If you want to gain some weight and the doctor thinks it’s okay for you to do so, you might try eating more often, by adding an additional healthy snack or two between meals Whatever you do, don’t eat fatty or sugary junk foods as a way to gain weight because too much fat and sugar... condemned by doctors Some athletes take anabolic steroids to make their muscles bigger and stronger But they are taking a big health risk Anabolic steroids can make your testicles shrink and your breasts grow, and they can make you infertile (unable to have children) In extreme cases, they can lead to an increased risk of a heart attack or cancer Anabolic steroids can also cause acne, oily hair, high blood... doctor may recommend that you meet with a dietitian; a dietitian is a trained health professional who teaches people how to eat healthfully The dietitian can tell you about different food combinations you should eat to make sure you are getting the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stay healthy But just to be safe, it’s a good idea to also take a daily multivitamin/mineral... whole-grain breads, cereals, and pastas — they're better for you than nonwhole-grain foods! Choose a colorful variety of vegetables to make sure you get a broad range of vitamins! *Eat about 6 ounces of grains a day An ounce equals 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of cereal, or 1/2 cup of pasta *Eat about 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day Fruits Milk Meats& Beans Milk Meats & Beans Grab a piece of fruit when you want... will stop and your voice will even out at the lower range 13 c01.qxd 3/24/06 2:22 PM Page 14 REAL BOYS, REAL FEELiNGS I play on a hockey team My dad wants me to try out for the baseball team because he used to play it I don’t know how to tell him that I just want to play ice hockey Age 11 My dad yells at my soccer coach during games and makes me want to crawl in a hole It makes me not want to play sports... know that can help you stay healthy 16 c02.qxd 3/27/06 2:16 PM Page 17 [ Hey! You are at the perfect age to start taking charge of your health! The two best ways to do that are to eat healthy foods and get lots of exercise ] Why do I need to pay attention to what I eat? It’s especially important to be a healthy eater at this time in your life Your brain and body need nutritious food at regular times... popular? Think of ways that you can start conversations or make people laugh You want to get a good job some day? Study hard and keep your grades up You want to be a star in the school play, make the soccer team, or play in the school band? Work hard, practice, and focus on improving your skills Taller boys also worry about their height If you’re tall, you may feel selfconscious about it and wish that... you want a sweet snack — it has lots more nutrition than juice! Most dairy products are high in calcium, which helps build and maintain strong bones! Choose lean meat whenever possible Chicken, turkey, and fish are great choices! *Eat about 11/2 cups of fruit a day *Eat about 3 cups of dairy foods a day *Eat about 5 ounces of meat and beans a day Three ounces of meat is the size of a deck of cards Oils:... even if you are overweight You need to eat regularly to grow taller and to develop muscles If you’re worried about your weight, talk to your parents and then to your doctor He or she can help you come up with ways to choose healthy foods Your doctor can also help you learn how to eat sensible portions of foods to help you get to a healthy weight Boys need a lot of calories to fuel their rapid growth... contain a lot of sugar and little else besides water; it’s much healthier to eat an orange or an apple or other fruit than to drink fruit juice How often do I need to eat? Eating frequently is important You should be eating three meals a day, with one or two snacks in between Nutritious food enables your body and muscles to grow and develop Have you ever noticed that it can be really hard to concentrate . Executive Director, Editorial and Operations Amy B. Middleman, MD, MSEd, MPH Medical Editor Donna Kotulak Managing Editor Mary Ann Albanese Art Editor Arthur. not be available in electronic books. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data American Medical Association boy’s guide to becoming a teen. p.